Thermostat valve and spring therefor



Feb. l0, 1948. w. A. CURTIS 2,435,575

THERMOSTAT VALVE AND SPRING THEREFOR Filed June 8. 1946 i Patented Feb. 10, 1948 THERMOSTAT VALVE AND SPRING Tnmmroa Walter A. Curtis, Cleveland, Ohio, assigner to 'l-he Bishop & Babcock Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application June 8, 1946, Serial No. 675,426

'z claims. (ci. 236-34) This invention relates to thermostatic valves, and has to do with thermostatic valves intended for use in controlling the flow of cooling liquid for internal combustion engines, and for analogous purposes.

It is well known to provide thermostatimc valves in internal combustion engine cooling systems, such valves opening a passage for the coolant which is circulated, by a pump, through the radiator, when the coolant has reached a predetermined high temperature, at which time the thermostatic valve functions to permit flow of the coolant to and through the radiator. Valves of this type commonly employ a thermostatic bellows as the valve actuating member, this bellows being charged, under partial vacuum, with a suitable thermo-sensitive iluid. When the water or coolant solution 'of the engine cooling system is at a predetermined low temperature, the bellows is elective for holding the valve closed, assisted if desired by supplementary means urging the valve in closing direction, and when the coolant reaches a higher temperature the bellows expands and urges the valve in opening direction. In the event of breakage or rupture of the bellows, the latter expands, due to its inherent resiliency, and opens the valve a short distance, in the absence of any supplementary means urging the valve in closing direction, the valve being opened a further distance by the pressure of the coolant being forced through the system by the pump and acting upon the valve in opening direction. The bellows is designed to start opening the valve at a predetermined temperature, in the absence of supplementary means urging the valve in closing direction, the valve assembly, including the bellows, being a standard unit which has a start opening temperature of from 158 to 163, with a full open temperature of approximately 190 F. That is, the bellows will start to open the valve at a temperature of from 158 to 163, and will move it into full open position at a temperature of 190 F. It is often desirable to delay opening of the valve, so that it will not start opening until the coolant has reached a temperature somewhat higher than the standard start opening temperaof the valve. i lFor example, a coll spring may be used which raises the start opening temperature of the valve to from 165 to 170 F., which is delsirable, but due to the increasing resistance of- Preferably, the valve should be in full open position at a temperature of approximately 190, as occurs in the use of the standard unit referred to, but that is not attainable when using a coil spring or other yielding means urging the valve in closing direction and presenting vincreasing resistance to opening thereof throughout the opening movement of the valve, as has 4been explained.

My invention is directed to thermostatic valve means which avoids the objections to the known thermostatic valve means, above referred to. To thai;l end, I provide means whereby opening of the valve, by means of the thermostatic bellows, or equivalent thermostatic means, is resisted during a portion only of the opening movement of the valve, such resistance being thereafter substantially eliminated, whereby the valve does not start opening until the coolant reaches a somewhat higher temperature than that at which the valve would start opening if such means were not provided, the yielding means, since it becomes ineffective after the valve has been opened to a predetermined extent, as noted, permitting the valve to be moved to its fully opened position at approximately the samehigh temperature of the coolant at which the valve is fully opened by the thermostatic member or bellows in the absence of the supplementary means urging the valve in closing direction. I attain that result by providing opposed inclined `surfaces yieldingly urged toward each other defining a converging passage for a movable member of the valve assembly so that, in the opening movement of the valve, such member contacts such surfaces whereby resistance to opening of the valve is produced, the surfaces being of limited extent such that the movable member passes out of contact therewith after the valve has been moved a predetermined distance in opening direction, thereby substantially eliminating such resistance to opening of the valve which may then be moved to fully opened position by the thermostatlc member. More specifically, I provide a thermostatic bellows fixed at one end and having at its other end a head connected to the valve member for opening and closing the latter, in conjunction with spring arms having inclined surfaces converging radially inwardly of the bellows head and normally overlying the latter so that when the bellows expands and the head thereof moves in valve opening direction the inclined surfaces of the armsvare contacted by the head and resist such movement thereof, the bellows head passing out of contact with the inclined surfaces after the valve has been opened to a predetermined extent and the valve member being thereafter moved to its fully opened position by the bellows. Preferably, the

inclined surfaces of the spring arms normally are in pressure contact with the bellows head so as to urge it in valve closing direction, so that the temperature at which the valve starts to open is somewhat higher than it would be in the absence of the spring arms and the inclined surfaces thereof cooperating with the head of the bellows in the manner stated. The bellows proper is formed of quite thin metal, for example brass of .005 inch thickness and the head of the bellows is formed of much. thicker metal.. In order to -avoid objectionable wear of the thin metal of the body of the bellows, the inclined surfaces referred to are disposed to contact with the bellows head and the latter preferably i provided with ears extending about the top convolution or `foid'of the bellows body, the inclined surfaces of the spring arms being disposed for contact with the ears of the head. An important lfeature of my invention is the provision of a multi-armed spring member, conveniently of U-shape, which may be applied to and removed from the valve assembly with expedition and facility, the arms oi' this member being provided with channel elements which receive the ears of the bellows head and, in cooperation therewith, hold the spring member properly positioned on the valve assembly. Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the detail description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side view of a thermostatic valve assembly embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of the valve assembly of Figure l., certain parts being shown in elevation;

Figure 3 is an underneath View ofv the valve assembly of Figure 1;

Figure d is a fragmentary side view of the valve assembly of Figure 1, with the valve member in closed position and the spring member shown in section; y

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but with the valve member in fully opened position;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 6--6 of Figure l; and

Figure 7 is a detail isometric view ci the spring tion of a valve stem I5 suitably secured at its lower end in a head I6 at the upper end of a metal bellows I1. The bellows I1 comprises a body I8 formed of relatively thin metal, for example, brass approximately .005 inch thick, it being noted that head I6 is of much greater thickness than the metal of which the bellows body I8 is formed. The bellows head vI'I is provided With suitably spaced ears I9 extending about the top convolution or fold `2l! of the bellows body i8, to which head I6 is suitably secured, preferably by soldering or brazing. The lower end of bellows 'body I8 is closed by an upwardly cupped head 2l at the lower end of a substantially U-shaped frame 22, in which head 2| the lower end of bellows body I8 seats and is secured therein by soldering. Frame 22 comprises two upwardly extending arms 23 disposed at diametrically opposite sides of head 2l and extending upward therefrom along bellows I1, spaced radially outward therefrom. Each of the arms 23 is reduced in width at its upper portion, to provide a tongue or tang 24, which extends through end flanges 25 of a guide yoke 2'6 of channel cross sectionextending between arms Z3, and through valve seat member Ill, the upper ends of the tangs 24 being peened or riveted over member for presenting yielding resistance to cavo-convex cross section. The valve member I2d is provided with an interiorly threaded depending neck Id screwing on the upper end porat 2l. The guide yoke 26 is provided with a central collar 28 through which extends valve stem I5, guided thereby. The valve stem I5 is tubular, as shown in Figure 2, and, after the bellows has been properly charged with a. thermosensitive fluid, under partial vacuum, as above stated, is closed by a plug 30 inserted into the upper end of stem I5, this plug and the valve member I2, after the latter has been properly positioned on stem I5, being secured to stem I5 and to each other in a suitable manner, conveniently by soldering as at 3I.

The valve assembly so far described is in general of known construction and may be considered as exemplifying a standard valve assembly yunit such as that above referred to. When this unit is mounted in the cooling system of an internal combustion engine, in the manner previously described, the valve. member I2 is held closed so long as the coolant is at or below a predetermined low temperature, and is opened at a higher temperature, being moved into fully opened position when the coolant has been heated to a predetermined maximum temperature. It may be assumed, for purposes of description, that the valve assembly is so designed that the valve member I2 will start to open at a temperature of from 158 to 163 and will be in fully opened position at a temperature of 190 F. It is desirable under certain conditions, as for winter operation, that the temperature at which the valve starts to open be somewhat higher than that of the standard unit referred to, for example from to 170, and that the valve be fully opened at the same temperature as in the standard unit, that is, at approximately In order to attain that result, I provide means whereby opening of the valve is resisted during a portion of the opening movement thereof, and such resistance to opening of the valve is substantially eliminated after it has been opened to a predetermined extent, whereby the valve may then be moved to fully open position by the bellows at substantially the same temperature at which it would be opened to its full extent by the 'standard unit in the absence of means supplementary to the bellows urging the valve in closing direction.

While the means for resisting opening of the valve may assume various forms, within the broader aspects of my invention, in its preferred form it comprises a .spring member presenting inclined surfaces of limited extent disposed for contact with head I 6 of the bellows I1 during movement of head I6 a predetermined distance in valve opening direction, after which such surfaces become substantially ineffective for resisting movement of head I6 in valve opening direction. Head 2l of frame 2 2 is ,provided with a central depression 33 which receives an upwardly oiset element 34 at the mid-length of bight portion 35 of a U-shaped spring member 36 straddling head 2| of frame 22. The member 36 may be formed of any suitable spring metal, but preferably is formed of phosphor bronze.- Arms 31 of member 36 extend from head 2| upward along bellows l1, in radially outward spaced relation thereto. Each arm 31 is provided, adjacent its lower end, with a tab or tongue 38 struck inward therefrom and directed downward toward the head 2| of frame 22, providing, in eiect, spring clips by means of which the spring member 36 may quickly be attached to head 2|. By pressing the tongues 38 outward to clear the upper edge of head 2|, spring member 36 may readily be detached therefrom. As will be clear from Figures 4 and 5, the tongues 36 normally contact the upper edge of head 2| of frame 22 and cooperate therewith to restrain member 36 against relative downward movement, element 34 of member 36 cooperating with element 33 of head 2| to restrain member 36 against relative upward movement.

Each arm 31 is provided with an element 40 extending from its upper end at an inclination radially inward of the bellows head I6 and normally overlying the latter. A terminal element Ill, substantially parallel with armV 31, extends upward from-the upper end of the inclined element 40. The elements 40 and 4I of each of the arms 31 have pressed outwardly thereof a channel element 42 of a width and a depth to snugly receive one of the ears I9 of bellows head I6, with the outer wall of the channel 42 bearing against the outer face of ear I9. The arms 31 are of such length that, when valve member I2 is in closed position, the 'inclined surfaces presented by the elements 40 are in contact with two diametrically opposite ears I 9 of bellows head I6, adjacent the juncture between the upper end of arm 31 and element 40. The elements 40 then exert downward pressure on head I6 urging the valve member I2 toward its seat and supplementing the action of the bellows in holding the valve member closed. The spring member 36 is so designed that the resistance thereby to opening of the valve is of proper value to assure that the valve will not start opening until the temperature of the coolant has attained the desired value. For example, the resistance of member 36 is such that the valve will notl start opening until the coolant reaches a temperature of from 165 to 170. Thereafter, as the temperature of the coolant increases, the bellows I1 expands and continues to move valve member I2 in opening direction. After the valve has been opened to a predetermined extent, the ears I9 of bellows head I6 pass beyond the upper ends of inclined elements 40 of arms 31, thereby eliminating the resistance to opening of .the valve offered by elements 40. Thereafter, but relatively slight resistance ls oifered to opening of the valve, by the elements, so that the bellows I1 may then readily move the valve to its fully opened position shown in Figure 5. That permits of the valve being fully opened by the bellows at a temperature of approximately 190. It will be seen that by applying the spring member 36 to the standard valve assembly unit, the start opening temperature of the valve israised from approximately 158 to 163, to approximately 165 to 170, and the temperature at which the valve is fully opened remains the same as in the standard valve assembly, that is, approximately 190. That is advantageous in that the valve assembly is conditioned for cold weather operation, or for operation under conditions requiring that the valve start opening at a somewhat higher temperature than occurs in the standard valve as sembly unit, but is moved to fully opened position at the same temperature as in the standard unit, whereby objectionable heating of the engine under warm or summer conditionsV of operation is avoided. Further, inthe event the bellows be broken or ruptured, the expansion force of the bellows plus the pump pressure exerted on the coolant, will open the valve `suiiciently for the bellows head I6 to clear the inclined elements 40 of arms 31, after which the valve is moved `to its opened position permitting free flow of coolant to the radiator. Assurance is thus had that in the event of breakage or rupture of the thermostatic bellows the valve will be opened. That avoids risk of objectionable overheating of the engine and preserves the safe failure factor or condition previously' referred to.

Y through if subjected to appreciable rubbing contact under pressure. Preferably, as abovenoted, the ears I9 0f bellows head I6 contact the outer or bottom walls of channel elements 42 and fit snugly therein. The ears I9 thus cooperate with the channel elements 42 for restraining the spring member 36 against turning movement relative to head 2| of frame 22 and assist in maintaining spring member 36 properly positioned about head 2| and bellows I1.

It will be understood that changes in details of my invention may be resorted to without departing from the eld and scope thereof, and I intend to include all such variations, as fall Within the scope of the appended claims, in this application in which the preferred form only of my invention has been disclosed.

I claim:

1. In thermostatic v'alve means for controlling the flow of cooling liquid for an internal combustion engine, a valve seat member, a valve mem- 05 ber cooperating with said seat member, a supporting frame secured to said seat member depending therefrom, a thermostatic bellows underlying said valve member secured at one end to said frame having at its other end a head connected to said valve member, said bellows holding 2l head normally yieldinsly held in contact with the U peripheral area thereof urging said head in valve closing direction, said inclined surfaces being of limited extent such that said head passes out of contact therewith when it has moved a predetermined distance in valve opening direction thereby eliminating resistance by said inclined surfaces to continued movement of said head in the latter direction.

2. In thermostatic valve means for controlling the iiow of cooling liquid for an internal combustion engine, a valve seat member, a valve member cooperating with said seat member, a supporting frame secured to said seat member depending therefrom, a thermostatic bellows underlying said valve member secured at its lower end to said frame having at its upper end a head connected to said valve member, said bellows holding said valve member closed at a predetermined low temperature and urging it in opening direction at a higher temperature, and a member straddling the lower end of and secured to said frame, said member comprising spring arms extending upward along said bellows and having inbent portions providing inclined surfaces converging inwardly oi said head normally yieldingly held in contact with the peripheral area thereof urging said head in Valve closing direction, said arms being clear ci said bellows below said head, said inclined surfaces being ci limited extent such that said head passes out of contact therewith when it has moved a predetermined distance in valve opening direction thereby eliminating resistance by said inclined surfaces to continued movement of said head in the latter direction.

3. In thermostatic valve means ior controlling the flow oi cooling liquid for an internal combustion engine, a valve seat member, a valve member cooperating with said seat member, a supporting frame secured to said seat member depending therefrom, a thermostatic bellows underlying said valve member having at its upper end a head connected thereto and secured at its lower end to said frame, said head having wear resistant elements extending radialiy outward beyond the top .most fold of said bellows, said bellows holding said valve member closed at a predetermined low temperature and urging it in opening direction at a higher temperature, and spring arms secured to said frame extending upward along said bellows having portions presenting inclined surfaces converging inward of said head normally yieldingiy held in contact with said elements urging said head in valve closing direction, said inclined lelements being of limited extent such that said elements of said head pass out of contacmt therewith when it has moved a predetermined distance in valve opening direction thereby eliminating resistance by said inclined surfaces to continued movement of said head in the latter direction.

4. In thermostatic valve means for controlling the :flow of cooling liquid tor an internal com bustion engine, a valve scat member, a Valve member cooperating with said seat member, a supporting frame secured tosaid seat member depending therefrom `having at its lower end a head provided with a central depression, a thermostatic bellows underlying said valve member secured at its lower end to said head having at its upper end a head connected to said valve member, said bellows holding said valve member closed at a predetermined low temperature and urging it in opening direction at a higher teinprature, and a resilient U-meniber stracldling the head oi said frame restrained against relative downward movement with its arms extending 'upward along said bellows and spaced radially outward therefrom, said upper head having ears extending radially outward therefrom about the top fold of said bellows, the arms of said U-member respectively having inclined intermediate elements extending from their upper ends and terminal elements extending from the upper ends of said intermediate elements substantially parallel with said arms, said inclined elements overlying said upper head converging inward thereof and yieldingly resisting upward movement of said upper head during a predetermined portion only ol such movement, said inclined elements and terminal elements having inwardly opening channels receiving certain of said ears with the latter contacting the bottoms oi the channels and in cooperation therewith restraining said U-member against turning movement relative to said bellows.

5. In thermostatic valve means for controlling the iiow of cooling liquid for an internal com-- bustion engine, a valve seat member, a valve member cooperating with said seat member, a supporting frame secured to said seat member depending therefrom, a thermostatic bellows underlying said valve member secured at its lower` end to said frame and having at its upper end a head connected to. said valve, and spring arms secured to said frame spaced radially 4outward from said head having inclined elements normally overlying and converging inwardly of said head yieldingly resisting upward movement thereof during a predetermined portion only of such movement. l

6. A. spring member intended for application to a thermostatic bellows secured at one end to a supporting frame and having a head at its other end, said member being of substantially U-shape comprising a bight portion and arms extending therefrom substantially perpendicular to said bight portion and spaced apart throughout their length for insertion oi a thermostatic bellows endwise between them, the free end portions of said arms being formed to provide inclined inwardly converging intermediate elements and terminal elements extending from said intermediate elements substantially parallel to said arms, the latter having clip elements struck inward therefrom adjacent and directed toward the bight portion o1" said member.

'7. A spring member intended for application to a thermostatic bellows secured at one end to a supporting frame and having a head at its other end, said member being of substantially lJ-shape and comprising a bight portion and arms extending therefrom with the free end portions of its arms formed to provide inclined inwardly converging intermediate elements and terminal elements extendingirom said intermediate elements substantially parallel to said arms, the latter having clip elements struck inward therefrom adjacent and directed toward the bight portion of said member, said intermediate and terminal elements being pressed out at their central areas providing therein inwardly opening lengthwise channel elements.

WALTER A. CURTIS.

REFERENCES @IITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

(Uther references on following page) UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 805,720 Fulton Nov. 28, 1905 1,934,548 Kellog Nov. 7, 1933 5 1,982,706 Teetor Dec. 4, 1934 2,168,999 Macdonald Aug. 8. 1939 Number Number 10 k Name Date Fisher Sept. 9, 1941 Giesler T Dec. 14, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Sweden Sept. 4, 1918 

